Tube-welding mechanism.



M. B. LLOYD.

TUBEWELDINGMBGHANISM.

.APPLICATION FILED 1120.1, 1913.

PatentedJan.12,191 5.

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TUBE WELDING MEGHANISM.

APPLIGATION FILED DEG. 1, 1913. 1,124,764. Pam-.ea .12.11.12, 1915.

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hn/22172 casses n M. B. LLoYD. TUBE WELDING MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DE01, 1913.

Patented J an. 12, 1915.

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M. B. LLOYD. TUBE WELDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DBO.1, 1913.

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Il.A a i J uNiTED sTATEs MYABSALL Bun-Ns LLOYD, or MENOMINEE, MicnIGAn,Ass1GNoB,'BY MESNE- ASSIGN- v nanars;"ro THE ELYRIA- IRON fe STEELcoMrANn'oF Env-nin, Homo, A CORPORA- TIQN F OHIO. I

'T'UBELWLDING MECHANIsn..

To all @Eli-iam t m @concern Be it'jm'ovvn, that L MAnsHALL B. LLOYD,

' a citizen of the United States, and a resident of 'Menominee,Menominee county,

Michigam have invented certain new -and useful improvements inTube-Welding- Mechanism, of` which the following is a '.speciiication.

Lof

My invention vrelates :generally to-mechani'sm` for manufacturing tubingand has special reference' to mechanism for Welding pre-formed tapered,conical, and similar The` general object' `ofmy i-nvention'is 'to.provide mechanismlwherewith tapered tubes and the likean beconveniently, ...quickly ,and cheaply'welded.

lv jfurtherobjectof my invention 'is to :pr'vide mechanism .for weldingVpre-formed Y foohic'al1 tubes :and -the ,like which shall YSimplefiin'fbonstruction .and operatmnand' .shall actau'tomatic'ally anduniformly-v to "Weld and -forwardtubing' which 1s presentv ed til-ranmawhich Shan be easily adjust.

able-.to accommodate and. Weld tubes of various 5 sizes.

" -A My'in'vention consists generally-4in tube 1 Welding mechanismcomprising means for. @"gholding and forwarding tapered tubes in .30

combination with a relatively rstationary de- .vice for 'fusingandy-Welding the tube as it moves.

the tube seams;

thereby. `progr'essively fusing and Welding My invention consistsstill'further in the. `unique construction', arrangement and 'cooperation 1ofparts jwhereby those ,objects named above, and others 'Which Willappearhereinafter, are attainable. y

My invention willbejmore readily un.

derstood'by referenceto the accompanying drawingsv formingapart of 'thisspecifica-'3 tion which' illustrate preferred embodiments thereof, andin'which:

Figure l a .plan view of -mechanismV embodying myinyentin; 2 'isa longitudinal section thereof.substantiallyV on the speciacation ofLettersratent. Paten'tedgam 12,1915. spuntini-tied December 1,1313.seriamasoaoss.

line 2-2 of Fig. '1;-Fig.`3is a cross sectional detail substantially'onthe line 3 3 of Fig. Il showing the fmoving holder about tov clampthe'tub'e; Figiis-a' cross-sectional view substantially on the line 4 1of Fig`. 1,5s`howing the movingholder embracing'the tube; Fig. 5 isaperspective View showing a tapered tube and 'a pair of holding blockstherefor; Fig. 6 isapplan-'view of-a modified form of my `invention;Fig.

Tis a cross-sectional vievv'on line 7 7` of" Figf'; and Fig. 8' is a,perspective 'view of a tube clampingblock of niodiied fornn Myinvention is concerned.generally'with,v

though not limitedto, Lthe 'formation of welded 'tubing 'by theOxy-acetylene process.

In this 'process the .tube,-whic h is usually 'formed 'from'sheet metal,has a long'itnd' na-lly; disposedhseam. dened by the tube edges whichare substantially in abutment.

This tube is -movedv 'under an Oxy-acetylene torch vWhich heats thetube; and which', in-

addition to application of pressure atthat point, fuses the edges andclosesathe'seam. To secure a 'product ,ofV uniforml strength andappearance, itis absolutely necessary that the working .relationbetweencertain I i parts be accurately determined; contI'Olled, and regulated.Some of the more inipbrtant 'factors in the production of VWelded tubingy V are :I l. The character of the'welding Haine; 'l

2.r The thickness -and texture of the .metal 3. The speed at which thearticle -ismoved 'under Vthe' Welding flame; and 4. The posi-` tion ofthe'seam of the tube relative tothe .tively easy properly to control,these fac?.

tors. g For instance, it isIiQt a dificult matter vtorch andparticularly` the distance of the 'l to maintain thefproper distancebetween'v the tube seam and thel torch, lsince by simply grippingsuccessive 'portions'f the'cylindric'al, tube '1t assumes positionsequidistant from the torch. When, however, an artic-le or I tube whichis not cylindrical in form istobe vWelded other problems present them?selves which complicate the matter, such,

.for instance, Vas the-problem of maintainingl the seams-of a numberofshort length pieces the proper'k distance'from the' torch. Hitherto nosuitable vmechanism has been providedY A composed of Y tubes wouldpermit i *ffle'lclefl7V eno. es

desoiibe' in il "eil qui .which ovesomes obgencti 'WV cultles-nonieo,enel 2 lo s We supportedet suitable and o oA is een tion to noi/el the'eoonomicel production operechan vother similensheloeil aitiole's.

y l `s oharleoteiized endless gril zg pottions *C1 C;

Q illy' hereii be explained 1one i decl-tinto pairs of .iich motesuceessively into posecl` jews Y C2 'alineihentwitf; and grasp thearticle to be ,25H1 v I' *Tjepresentsn typical oi'm of tube such lcontemplate Weicung 'and as' will be seen a .taperecl tube. The tube' isvusuellj] niacle of. Asheet'inetul :finel VWhen vioi'mecl a''-longitu'dln'al seam t results7 which V`is definediby the edges tlt,which are in' 'sub-v stantial abutment. 1lt is thisseam Whichiis "to be.lclos'eel by the applicetionolf' healtancl rpressure. lt will bezeetlilyseen that ifthe 'f-tztpezjei tube or cone were simplypi'esentefl to the `vise each oeil" ot vise iews in order thatl they be,adapteclftorgresp the tube woul'cl have to'tegnade in a. p ztticuler'manner sind vassemb'leal' on .the machine'lin a denitepiekleteiiouine'(i position. Severe-lundesirable;resultsfwoulclfollow-from such a oonstuetion. @ne would be that the length corres'pondexactly ofthe vise would have to to a given number of lengths o thetubes It-follows lfrom' this that if the leiigth of.

Vthecone or tube Weiielniere'ly il-tened, the

length of the vise would either have to 'be- 'alteredorelse it would beincumbent upon.4

the .o ertor` to allow one or motel of the fpaiis of jaws to p issbetete pesenting the' next tube: This Wculclfbeimpiecticble.

for the reason that the space between the th terchfto bum into or'eataway a ypotion of the end of the 1 tube as it appioached'. vlhis isone of the results which l desire peiticularly to eveil since my mainpurpose -is to 'provifle a mit chine fon manufacturing tubing rapidlyind economically* and the vresult of such con# stiuction v'would be thate portion ot" each of vthe tubes would. be Wasted;

` -Anothei1 defect of melting-the vise to grasp the article (liectly isthat for eeen change in length of the tube' newi'aws would o b .l

have to be applied.- This woultlbe eX-ltions ci 4into ereen comprisesmell bloohs ofv tothe coss-'seetione shape of the-se Les ori.:

successively vinto pose is" r' Y holding blocls the? will Smead' *en(see Fig, l) which sfpositionel in Lees C6.

blocks .l Y l tube these iiibs Tun' peiallel'with thaamm Foi'comoemejitery; engage lient' iQlith. these ribs, l ovicle ece'sses 'C7which' co 1&5

projections henc'ees the bloeks' e ribs it tielly the Whole v unen; theconnec foal' E7' neii este ending 'points on molly open iso i forwarden@A of enieiitwith the Lbs 'blocksj end es ey' fom the 'tube the blocksand tubing. At the Qleliv of the Welding machine, howefei, l t topro/ie. a positive speJ-ioleii or opener @Q5 f tlm nath n n A V 1 -c o the Jeqs and which positively Wedges oif slideble .on f

ina-rasa spreads them apart at that point. 'lhe' jaws are `automaticallyclosed upon theftube or rather uponv the bloclis holdin the tube by twocams or guide members jlo 'Whichare parallel ywith the upper side orWorking s-*..retchgofy the `Trise. 'lhese'form a groove or channelthrough which the jaws or sections trayelffin succession. The forward orreceiving end Cl1 of these pressure guides are flared-or arranged ascams so that as .the jaws rise or enter'gthe forward-end of the channelthey are caused gradually to move toward each other and into clampingengagement with the tube blocks, which condition they are maintaineduntil they reach the spreader at the opposite ends of the channel. Theopposite ends C12 ofthe guidemeinbers are also flared or cut away toallowthe jaws to open as the spreader enters them.A The guide members Care slidably mounted upon the rbed plate C24 of the machine and maybeadjusted by means of the screivs C25 so Vthat the clamping pressure ofthe yise may be regulated to any degree found to be suitable for thepurpose. They may 'also be readily adgusted to accommo-l date thedifferent sized tubes. The adjusting screws are mounted upon upstandinglugs C2 andv they set against U -shaped members C" which bridge rollerraces C28 and have their ends set in sockets provided therefor on theguides.

The forward sprockets C* of the vise are mounted upon a shaft Cjournaled in bearings fixed on the bench and the rear sprockets C5 aremounted on the rear shaft C45.,

journaled in similar bearings fixed on the bench. Any suitablepowergearing such as indicated in the drawings, may be leinployed for drivingthe power shaft C45. The belt Ct7 represents the source of powertransmitted to such train of gearing. By

this means continuous movement may beimparted to the. chains orconveyors causing successive pairs of opposed jaws to rise into Workingposition and there to be moved together by the guide bars.

Mounted centrally over the opposed con veyers is an oiiyacetylene torchD. This is supported upon a bridge D2 by a bracket D of suoliconstruction that the torch may be readily inade to assume any angularposif tion or Various heights or distances fromthe tube as may berequired to secure the proper Welding flame for the; lparticularcharacter of the tube.

As stated in the opening of the specica- Y tion. in order that uniformwelding may be attained. it is necessary to maintain a given tube adefinite distance from the torch. This it Will be seen is automatically.accomplished by my mechanism since the ribs or projections t4 of thetube clamps are parallel With the tube seam. lt necessarily followstherefore that as the conveyor blocks engage these ribs, the tube willautomatically-alssume a straight line position. ThisV action isfyeryclearly illustrated in Fig. 2.

Having thus described the'det'ail 'con `struction of the nieclianism,lshall now briefly describe the operation thereof. For thisr purpose letus assume that a number of tapered tubes are moving through themachineheld -between the tube lblocks or holders #and that one pair of blocks,and

the tube .held thereby, project slightly'from the `feed end of themachine. lI noW pre# pare another tube 'for Welding by'placingwit.Within a pair. of tube blocks t2 With the seam of the tube `uppermostand exposed centrally between the blocks.' l then place the tube andtube blocks in this condition in end to end abutment with the forwardlymoying tube and blocks in the machine,. moving them forward in continuedabutment until clamped by the constantly movl ing vise which then servesto forward the parts and to hold them properly upon the tube. vBy thusproviding a number of sets of tube'clanips or blocks t2,- placinglengths of tubing therein; and placing the parts so L while in theWelding machine.

in Figs. 6, T. and 8 l have shown a modified and simplified form of myinvention" which under some circumstances may be used to advantage. lnthis instance l prof inde a conveyor comprising a plurality of arearranged in opposed pairs the vnumber of which may be varied to suit thecondi-- tion and the rolls r, r2, rt, r'tg and rs, are mounted upon asingle base r1". So also'the rolls r1, r3, '115, fr?, and r9 are mountedupon a? similar base rw. rThe bases T10 rare slidable to and fromeach-other. moving in suitable Ways u. and may be easily moved by meansof the right and left hand threaded bolts a. Each of the rolls issecured to the upper end of vayertical shaft al, the lower end of whichis provided with a worm gear s2, Shafts a? are provided on each side ofthe machine and carry a number of Worms s* which mesh With the Wormgears s2 of the shafts al and the shafts s"i are driven by means of thepoiver shaft s and gearing s". ln this manner all of the ."olls aredriven at the saine peripheral speed.

For holding the article to be Weldedl have shown a modified form ofholder, as' indicated in Fig. 8, which comprises an elongatedbar ofmetal lproyided with longitudinally extending ribs 1c on one side:

and a V-shaped tapered groovelc1 .in the other side. The position of thetapered groove upon the block corresponds to that of the groove t3 asshown in Fig. 5, the dierence residing in the shape of the groove. Twoof these blocks K are used to ether in same manner as described in reerence to Figs. l to 5 and when placed upon the article to be weldedthey are started into the irst of the rolls r, r1, and)v farethereby'forwarded to the succeeding rolls. The relative length of theholders and the number and positionof the rolls is referably such that'after the blocks are ully started into the machine, two or more pairsof rolls will constantly guide and forward thev tube and its clampingblocks. The tube edges t', -1.", are welded in the manner alreadydescribed by passing under the welding torch D. Wheny it is desired totake widelydiflering sizesho-f tubes, the

j rolls. on each side of the center may be moved by means of the screwss which act upon' the bases 1'1". The drivingconnections are in no wiseinterrupted by this movement. since the shafts s4 are carried bybearings s8- attached to the bases 14. Like- 812 which act a ainstblocks 313 carrying j the vertical sha ts c1 and other'attached gears.In this manner the quickly and easily adjuste for all '.pur-

poses. v

f Ifhave so far described my invention with 'references-to the weldingof tapered tubes,

` v but it'should be obvious that my invention lis capable of use inwelding cylindrical tubes *which may be desirable for certain purposes,for example, when welding tubes which are very thin and flexible. j l

From this detailed description it is believed that the objects andadvantages of applicants invention will be readily understood by thoseskilled in the art, but since 'modified structures will readily .presentthemselves to such men, I do not wish. to be ylimited ,to the preciseconstruction herein .shown and described, except as may be necessary byexpress limitations in the claimsr hereunto appended.

I claim: 1'. In a welding machine, a pair of tube clamps formed landadapted to hold a taachney can be f pered tube, in combination with anendless conveyer for moving the tubes and clamps past a given point, aburner located at said Apoint and acting to impinge a welding liaineupon the same to be welded, and means for maintaining a substantiallyconstant relation between the tube and the burner. 1

2. In a welding machine, a vise for lclamping the metal to be welded, incombination with a conveyer for moving the lvise past a given point, aburner located at.,said point and actingto impin e a weldinglame uponthe seam to be wel ed and means for embracing the tubev and lforcomplementary engagement with said vise for properly positioning thetube relative to the burner. l

3. A machine for welding or similarly sealing the seam of metal tubes,comprising-an automatic traveling holder formedV progressively to raspand :forward an article with clamping blocks for embracing tubing. and astationary heating device located over said holder for heating` andwelding the seam While the tube is so held and moved.

4. Ina mechanism of the el ss described, the combination for embracingtapered tubing with the seam thereof exposed, a moving holder forprogressively grippjig said' means for embracing tapered tubing and formoving same forward, and a welding torch arranged in the 4path of thetube and positioned to direct a welding the tube.

f5. In a machine for welding tapered tubes and the like, the combinationof means. for

embracing a length of tubing with the seam exposed, an automatictraveling holder for gripping and forwarding said clamps and tube, arelatively stationary heating device for .heating the'exposed part ofthe llame upon j y tubeand' 'means formed' on said tube clamps forcomplementary engagement. with the' moving holder and serving toposition the' seamv of the tube in proper alinement with the heatingdevice.;

6. Tube weldingmechanism comprising elongated tube clamps in combinationwith an elongated cyclicallymoving conveyor for gripping the clamps, andpropelling -them forward, a burner arranged' intermediate the ends ofthe conveyer in position to weld the tube as it travels, Aand pressuremechanism for automatically causing a .welding pressure at the tubeseamsn 7 A tube welding machine comprising a substantially .horizontalconveyer 'having a plurality of clamps arranged in pairs, a channelarranged adjacent to upper side of saidconveyer thewalls whereof causesuc-v cessive pairs of clamps to approach each.

otheras they travel, tube length clamps for embracing tubing and formedto be gripped` iso veyer in position to weldl theseam of the tube whileunder pressure and means for 'positively opening said clamps after 'thewelding operation. Y i Y 8. A tube welding machine comprising aSubstantially' horizontal conveyer, a pluialmovable jaws, a weldingburner 'adapted to heat the tube while moving and a spreader forpositively opening the pairs of jaws successively to release the .tubeafter itv is welded. n n

9. A tube welding `machine comprising `a substantially horizontaltraveling conveyer, a plurality of laterally moving jaws arranged inpairs thereon, la vpair of tube length clamps formed and adapted to4embrace a tapered tube, mechanism for automatically closing the pairs ofjaws'successively upon the tube embracing clamps, a heating devicecoperating therewith to weld 10, In a tube Welder a relativelystationary burner, a constantly traveling .carrier in'coinbination.with-a. pair of tube length j clamps formed and adapted to embracetapered tubing with the seam thereof exposed, said constantly travelingcarrier formed'and adapted progressively to grip the tube clamps tocompress the tube therein and present the unwelded seam of the tube tothe burner, and a` pressure relieving Adevice operable to relieve thetube of the compression action of said tube carrier after the seam ofthe tube is welded.

11. In* a welding machine a constantly traveling conveyer for propellinga metal tube forward at constant speed, a stationary flame burnerarrangedV above said conveyer and adapted to project a concentratedflame downwardly upon the seam of the tube and progressively weld saidseam as the tube moves, in combination with two clamps formed andadapted to embrace a length of tubing and tube positioning means on saidclamps coperating with said traveling conveyer for automaticallypresenting and positioning'the tube in re'ferenceto and under the flameburner, as and for the purpose specified.

12. In an automatic tube welder, a combined' tube carrier, vise, andclamping blocks formed to embrace a length of tapered tubing, said tubecariier and 'vise operating constantly to grip successive portions ofthe tube clamps and automatically to applf.7 pressure thereto to holdthe edges of the tube seam in butt relation, in combination with awelding burner above said tube carrier positioned to play 'a flame uponthe seam of the tube'in the vise as it travels, and tube positioningmeans on said tube clamps cooperating with the carrier andivise andpresenting saidseam in'proper alinemeiit with the burner.

13. In an automatic-tube welder, a. carrier vise,. and tapered tubeembracing clamps, said clamps embracinga length of tubing and thecarrier vise -serviiig constantly to' grip. successive portions of theclamps and automatically apply pressure to the tube therein to hold theedges of the tube seam in butt relation, in combination with a weldingbuiner'abovev said tube carrierfadapted to play a flame upon the seam ofthe tube as it travels,` tube positioning rier Jfor presenting theunwelded seam of the tube in proper alinementwith the burner and anautomatic device for opening said vise as the tube leaves the combinedcarrier `and vise.

14. A tube welder comprisinga continuous vmoving tube carrier having aplurality of vise jaws, a plurality of tubing clamps formed to embracetapered tubing, said lcarrier and vise jaws serving automatically toclamp successive portions of the tube clamps and longitudinallyforwardthe clamps and tubing, means on the tube clamps coperating with the visejaws and positioning the tube as it enters the carrier, a stationaryheater adapted to direct a iiame upon v*the seam of the tube and weldsaid seam as it passes and means for adjusting said cairier and vise toadapt it to different sizes of tubes.

l5. In a tube welder, a constantly moving tube'carrier, a plurality ofclamps formed to embracetapered tubing, said constantly moving carriercomprising a plurality of laterally movable vise jaws for automaticallyoperating compressively to grip successive incoming portions of the tubeclamps and move the clamps and tube at a constant speed, a device forcontrolling the position oi" the tube and clamps, a stationary heateradapted to direct a welding iiame locally upon the tube seam and meansfor adjustinv said carrier to adapt it to diiierent sizes oli tubes. A aA 16. In a welding machine, a constantly moving sectional vise, aplurality of tube clamps adapted in pairs to embrace tapered Amea-nscooperating with said vise and carv they successively moveintowforking'posi- I niost,.co mpr ising a plurality. of tube clampsceperatingin pairsto'embrace tapered tubing, in combination with anelongated substantly'receiving and propelling forward the 'incoming.tube clamps andtube, said vise comprising a pair of endlessl chainshaving.`

a plurality of movable vise sections arranged in pairs," closing'mechanism for automatif cally closing said 'pairsl of vise' sections astion and for maintaining vsaid sections in gripping f engagement withthe tube and along byl said vise, vand 'a spreader at thev 'end .of thevise fog?. automatically 'operatingr .to open said vise'sect'ionssuccessively.

,incoming tube,"v said vise'comprisinga pair vof' endless chainsfhavinga plurality. of movclamps while vthe tubefseamis being Welded,

a burner 'arranged abovesaidtraveling vise for welding the exposedseamas 1t 1s carried .18.' In a tub/e Welder, mechanism for embracingtapered tubingwith the seam there-Q "of uppermost and exposed, saidmejchanismv comprising a pluralitypf tube length clamps incombinationwith an` .elongated v.substanf tially horizontal travelingviseffor continuously receiving .andp`ropelling forward the ablesectionsfarranged in pairs,closing mechanism'for automatically closingsaid pairs for Welding theexposedfseam -as it is carried along by .saidvise anda' -spreader at'ithe` end of the vise for automaticallyoperating. to open said vise sections successivelyf i 19. Ina tubeWelder, anendle's's.- elongated conveyerfmechanism 'adapted constantlyvto". i' travel in onedirection-and having :a pl ura1 ity of pairs.oflaterally` movable; and= pivot" all mounted-vise'jaws, in combinationWith-' ad]ustable 'side members co-acting with said jaws successively'tomove them together and' to. hold` them' ,togetherfora-predetermined jtively forcing the jaws apart. .20. A tube cl'am vfor'tube Weldingmechabrace `tapered tubing with 'the seaml thereof exposed and to begfgrippedk byy successively stantially horizontal traveling'viseforfcon- 'closing vise jaws andjthereby compress'the tube and moveit'iorward, a burner. mounted.

adjacent the upper side .of said mechanism Jfor directing a llameuponthe seam..of the tube.' and` any entering'wedge positioned at nismcomprising L an elongated 'member formed witha,substantially."semiconieall recess on one side and y'v'idh 'a portionon the other side laline'd with one edge bounding the substantiallysemi-conical recess;

21 'Nube Clamp f'Qr tube wading mecha-ii nism, comprising an elongatedmember .p.o Vdeld; With-a I tapered oncavty .on one S1d and aformedfportionuponfthe.other-alined .with one edge ofthe. metal'.bounding' the' saidjconoavity. 22. vA tube clamp'cofmprisingan'velongated metallic imemb'erfy formed vwith'. a; substan# tiall'yI4.semi-con ical/ L recess :o'nf o'neffsif'le` and With a longitudinalribuponthe' other side.4 I; 2 3. A`m'achinelfor continl'iouslyWelding'vthe' lengths of tapered tubing comprising-in' x combination means? for'clamping tapered'` vtube lengths, a .moving holder for carrying' theclamped tube lengths'fdlfwrd in end to. end abutment," a1 1da`statiiiaryjheating`ele "24; VA'A tube'clamp comprising 'an' elongatedendfpo'rtions vof the.' clamp'. being `sir'nilarly an led.v

'l metalli'cmember 'formed with' a substantiallyl smi-conballecessn"'0n;s.is`e and-with' 1011-A gitudil'ialv guidingl means upon the.other, 'the' 85 n testimony whereof, haveliereunto Witnesses HniDaC.'PETERSON, Josnrn Yan Daunen.

my'hand,this 12th day-of November, 19.13,` l

Witnesses.

the' rear `..end ofsaidmechanism for' posi-

